Tere Bina (Guru)

The stage is set thus

Gurukant Desai (Abhishek Bachchan) and Sujata (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) are newly married. But the ambitious Gurukant is just a notch more in love with his work than his wife. So much so that Sujata feels Guru's work is like the other woman in his life.

This song, though picturised as a 'happy' song, is actually Sujata's reproach on the frequent absence of her husband.

(As pointed out very helpfully by soloescapes, this song comes up when Sujata goes away when she learns that Guru married him because of the dowry. The song shows glimpses of their happy times and the current "crisis". (Thanks!))

Lyrics, and translation

[Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum 

Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum 

Dum-daara dum-dum]

O humdum bin tere kya jeena

[[My love, what is a life without you...]]

Tere bina besuaadi-besuaadi ratiyaan o sajna (x2)

Rookhi re o rookhi re

Kaatoon re, kaate kate na

[[Without you, my nights are bland and monotonous, sweetheart. These dull and dry nights are impossible to go through.

Kanu's comments: 'Be-suaadi' is a very rarely used word, but very appropriate and effective here. Gulzar's lyrics often have a word that makes you to fall in love with itself; and for me in this song, it's definitely besuaadi.]]

[Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum ...]

Na ja chaakri ke maare

Na ja sautan pukaare

Saawan aayega to poochhega, na ja re

[[Don't go away for your job; which, like a mistress, keeps calling you. What will I say when the rain comes and asks for you?

Kanu's comments: Love how these lines subtly imply that Guru is always on the beck and call of his job (na ja sautan pukaare), even if it means ignoring his wife and spending less time with her. Rains are often considered the romantic season, and to desert your newlywed wife in such a weather for your job will no doubt leave her feeling unloved. 

(Blast from the past: Tere do takya di naukri, ve mera laakhon da saawan jaaye)]]

Pheeki-pheeki besuaadi ye ratiyaan 

Kaatoon re, kate na kate na

Ab sajna tere bina, tere bina, kaate kate na

Kate na kate na tere bina

Tere bina besuaadi-besuaadi ratiyaan o sajna 

[[These bland and insipid nights are impossible to go through.]]

[Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum ...]

Tere bina chaand ka sona khota re

Peeli-peeli dhool uda de jhootha re

[[Without you, even the the moon seems to be fake - instead of showering gold it's blowing yellow dust at me.

Kanu's comments: 1. Love the use of khota (counterfeit) here. Gulzar's love of the moon is legendary, and could make for a long post in itself. The plethora of adjectives he has used to describe the moon can run into hundreds.]]

Tere bina sona peetal

Tere sang keekar peepal

[Aa ja katein na ratiyaan]

[[Without you, gold is like copper; while when you are with me even a Kikar tree is like Peepal. 

Kanu's comments: Love these lines. Very poetic, and have a nice musical ring to them.

Without you, even the most expensive things hold no value to me. - Gold and jewelry can't compensate for your absence.

With you, even a common tree like Kikar becomes sacred like Pipal (which is considered very sacred in Hindu and Buddhist mythology).]]

[Dum-daara dum-daara mast-mast dum ...]